Question

What does the bulge in the above given population pyramid indicate? The bias towards younger age groups in the age structure is believed to be an advantage for India. Explain.

Answer 1

• The bulge in the middle age group indicates that majority of Indians belong to the working population providing the opportunity called demographic dividend. 
• The average age is also is less than that of most other countries thus the changing age structure could offer a demographic dividend for India. 
• Thus, the dependency ratio is low and provides the opportunity for economic growth. 
• This dividend arises from the fact that the current generation of working age people is relatively large and it has only a relatively small preceding generation of old people to support. 
• This potential can be converted into actual growth with the increased level of education and employment. 
• Thus, these benefits have to be utilised through planned development.